MotorCities is the proud recipient of a grant from the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation through the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. The grant is for the creation of a Wayside Exhibit program in the MotorCities region.

Over the course of the grant, the Wayside Exhibit program will create a comprehensive system of approximately 250 outdoor exhibits in communities throughout central and southeastern Michigan. Each sign will commemorate Michigan's automotive heritage and will increase public awareness of this on a community and regional level.

To date, more than 120 exhibits have been installed across the region including Flint, Ypsilanti, Lansing, Middle Rouge, Macomb County, Flint, with more coming soon.If you have an idea for panels in your community and would be interested in being involved in upcoming cycles, contact Brian Yopp at (313) 259-3425 x307, byopp@motorcities.org

New wayside exhibit signs come to Sylvan Lake!

Information about the history of Sylvan Lake is featured on 5 new signs posted in the community. A dedication ceremony in the form of an ice cream social was recently held and Civic Center TVís George Moore was there. This project is part of the MotorCities National Heritage Area and is an affiliate of the National Park Service dedicated to preserving, interpreting and promoting the automotive and labor heritage of the State of Michigan. MotorCities was designated by U.S. Congress in 1998 to preserve the cultural and historic landscape associated with the automobile in Southeastern and Central Michigan.

The Lansing Stewardship community has launched its virtual tour of Wayside Exhibits and other historic industrial sites in Lansing. Click here to explore.

This tour will serve as the prototype for the remaining community across the region eventually leading to an interconnected map of the entire Wayside project.

There is also a companion brochure which complements the tour which is available at local Lansing attractions.

Special thanks to Michael Rodriguez PhD.; Our Daily Work , Our Daily Lives; and the Greater Lansing Area CVB for all of their support in launching this project.